Fontanel Nashville

Depending on how long you have lived in Nashville, you either think of The Fontanel as the former home of country music superstar Barbara Mandrell or as a sprawling entertainment complex. And either way, you would be right!

** Update – August 2019 **

The Fontanel will be going through some changes and will close for a complete redevelopment on October 14, 2019. We are excited to see what the changes and updates will bring.

Until then, here is a tour of the home we took in 2017. Hopefully, the home will re-open for tours.

How the Fontanel Began

The Fontanel began as the dream home built by Ken Dudney, Barbara Mandrell’s husband. The mansion is located in Whites Creek, TN. I grew up in Hendersonville which is where Barbara lived before moving to The Fontanel.

It’s hard to explain to my kids how big a star she was but basically, Barbara Mandrell was the Taylor Swift of the 80’s. She started her career at a very young age and was a virtuoso instrumentalist in addition to being a singer.

Her variety show that she starred in with her sisters, Louise and Earline, was must watch TV in the early eighties.

When construction on The Fontanel began, it was big news in Middle Tennessee. I even remember a local TV special that gave a tour of the home soon after the Mandrell family moved in.

When it is time for your tour, you will be transported the short distance to the mansion by bus. During the ride, you get to view a short video detailing the history of the home and information about the building process.

Once you arrive, a tour guide will lead you through the home and tell lots of great stories about the famous family that once lived there. There are no restrictions on photos during the tour so feel free to take all the pictures you want.

I will tell you that I have toured a lot of homes and this tour is the most casual and permissive I have ever been on. You can take a selfie in Barbara’s closet, stretch out in her garden tub or even eat crackers in her bed!

Have you ever heard that all waiters in Los Angeles are aspiring actors? Well in Nashville, almost all tour guides are singers and songwriters.

Our guide at The Fontanel was a top ten contestant on American Idol! She serenaded us with a song in Barbara Mandrell’s bedroom. That’s just the kind of experience that makes me love our hometown so much.

Food, Wine, Music, and even Ziplines

I’m open to the possibility that you never liked country music and you’ve never even heard of Barbara Mandrell. If so, The Fontanel has plenty more to offer!

Rachel is a Middle Tennessee native, born and raised in the Nashville area and having lived in Hendersonville, Murfreesboro, and Mount Juliet. She is mom to 3, step mom to 4 and Grandma to one (so far!)